Brigham Harwell proclaimed last week’s game against Oregon State a do-or-die game. The Bruins lost 34-6 but still have three more games, two of which are on the road, and they have yet to win away from the Rose Bowl.

So what now?

“You win some and lose some. Last week was a do-or-die, and we died last week,” Harwell said. “But we know that in college football there’s always a chance. We still have a chance to win a bowl game. We’d have to win three straight. We know it would be tough, but we’re taking it day by day and game by game. To us, this is a playoff mentality. We have to win our first road game to keep our playoff hopes alive.”

The Bruins (3-6, 2-4 Pac-10) can’t be caught sleeping in Seattle. Washington (0-9) hasn’t won this season, but Rick Neuheisel doesn’t want the Bruins thinking anything will be handed to them. He’ll use BYU’s rout against UCLA – since Washington nearly beat the Cougars – as motivation. However, Washington still had quarterback Jake Locker under center then.

“We’ll talk about the game,” Neuheisel said. “I don’t know I’d call it dangerous. These teams are both fighting for the future. I think we have to have the right mindset. We can’t certainly go in there thinking they’re going to lay down because that won’t be the case. This is going to be a very physical, tough-nosed game. I have great respect for that program. They’re going to play with a great deal of pride. They’ve been right there a number of games. They should’ve been in overtime with BYU, a team we got beat by 59-0. If that doesn’t have our team understand what the mindset is in this game …”

Dean time?

Freshman running back Aundre Dean has had just one carry this season, and there’s no definitive indication that he has any more carries in store for him at Washington, either.

“Those are questions I hate to answer,” Neuheisel said. “I’d love to say yeah, but if it doesn’t happen I make the Deans wonder what the heck is going on. We just have to play it by ear. I’d love to have everybody get carries, but that just hasn’t been our kind of season. To suggest that will change this week is the wrong mindset. Hopefully, we’ll get everybody an opportunity, but to predict it would be the wrong thing to do.”

Injury update

Freshman receiver Nelson Rosario (ankle) returned to practice Wednesday and is scheduled to play against the Huskies. Rosario missed Saturday’s game against Oregon State.

“It’s getting a lot better,” Rosario said. “I’m just trying to focus on my assignments. I’m not worried about it setting me back.”

Also …

Quarterback Ben Olson didn’t take any snaps Wednesday after taking snaps with the second unit on Tuesday. He will travel to Washington but isn’t likely to play. “Well, we wanted to see where he was yesterday and gave him a lot more reps,” Neuheisel said. “I don’t think he’s ready, so we wanted to make sure Chris (Forcier) got those reps today.” … Compton College defensive tackle Braden Warner committed to UCLA … Micah Reed took reps with the first string at center and probably will start, Neuheisel said, but he’ll split time with Jake Dean.